U.S. Afghan envoy pledges to press for women’s involvement in peace talks

The U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said on Tuesday that President Joe Biden’s administration would press for “meaningful participation” for women and minorities in ongoing peace talks.

As Biden prepares to withdraw U.S. forces by Sept. 11, Khalilzad said in prepared remarks for a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing the administration is working to preserve civil rights and impressing upon the Taliban there will be severe consequences to civil war, with the cooperation of neighboring countries and other U.S. partners.

Two weeks ago after wrapping up a four-day visit to Kabul, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said that he met with a broad-spectrum of Afghan society to hear their thoughts on the peace process.

Khalilzad tweeted: “Before I left Kabul, I met with a roundtable of women’s rights leaders & religious scholars to hear their candid thoughts regarding the state of affairs for Afghan women, including their essential place in a republic & inclusive peace process.”

“We share the fundamental view that women’s voices must be heard in the ongoing peace talks and the influential position women (and) ulema have in encouraging a just and durable peace for all Afghans,” Khalilzad tweeted.